All new Namma Metro stations in Phase II may get bus bays

TNN | May 20, 2019, 04.30 AM IST

BENGALURU: Under criticism for not providing bus bays at most existing Metro stations in Phase I, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is now coming up with an access improvement plan.BMRCL, along with agencies like BMTC, traffic police, BBMP and DULT, is planning to conduct surveys along Phase II corridors to identify spots, particularly near upcoming stations, where bus bays, taxi/auto stands or zebra crossings for pedestrians are required.

Sources say BMRCL has learnt from the flaws of Phase I stations and decided to come up with a proper traffic management system before the next phase becomes operational. Bus bays, for instance, are needed near Metro stations to give commuters safe access to BMTC’s feeder services.

“We want to provide facilities like bus bays at all 62 upcoming Metro stations under Phase II. We are coordinating with different agencies and planning to survey pedestrian and vehicular traffic at places where the stations are being set up. Bus buys will also reduce traffic bottlenecks near stations,” said a senior BMRCL official.

Namma Metro’s 41km Phase 1 is currently operational with a ridership of about 3.7 lakh per day. The 72-km Phase II is under implementation and another 55km has been approved. In Phase I, poor feeder services to and from Metro stations have been a major hindrance to first and last-mile connectivity.

A senior BMTC official said as most existing Phase I stations don’t have bus bays, they are unable to park buses for more than five minutes. “If we halt feeder buses at stations like Trinity, there is chaos on roads. It’s not financially viable to operate feeder buses without halting for adequate time near stations to wait for passengers.”

He said bus bays help commuters transit directly out of the stations, prevent accidents and ease congestion. At present, BMTC operates about 150 Metro feeder buses. However, most services, except on the Byappanahalli-ITPB route, are running under losses.

It has also suggested agencies tie up with taxi aggregators to provide feeder services at economical costs. “There’s a need for rationalisation of BMTC buses running parallel to Metro services as well as regulation of shared para-transit services,” it has said.

The draft has suggested measures to encourage walking, cycling and public transport, and reduce private vehicle use and trip lengths to increase the percentage of public transport users from current 48% to 70%. It has also suggested higher Floor Space Index for transit stations ie. Metro and commuter rail among other things to allow composite development (station plus commercial development) except in heritage zones.

BMRCL seeks public feedback

BMRCL has invited public comments on the TOD policy, whose draft has been uploaded on its website (english.bmrc.co.in). People can give suggestions to todcomments@bmrc.co.in. According to Metro Rail Policy-2017, a comprehensive mobility plan (CMP) is mandatory for planning Metro systems. It states no Metro project will be taken up unless a CMP is prepared.